WELCOME TO PAW JUSTICE

Paw Justice has a zero tolerance attitude towards animal abuse. It works with the community to reduce animal abuse and cruelty. Paw Justice has various campaigns and programmes which aim to promote its causes. We act as advocates in the community for those with no voices and promote education and public awareness to bring about social change. Join your voice with ours - become the voice for the animals.

OVERVIEW

Paw Justice is standing up for the 1.6 million cats and dogs that live as part of a family in New Zealand. We unite good pet owners and animal lovers together to tell the nation that animal abuse is wrong and not to be tolerated. We believe that if we act as one and have one voice, New Zealand can put a stop to animal abuse. If you believe in what we are doing, you have already become a spokesperson for your pet.

Represent your pet with pride, be part of Paw Justice!

ABOUT US AND THE CAMPAIGN

Paw Justice was formed in 2009 to help deal with the sickening problem of animal abuse and neglect against pets in New Zealand. Such abuse has grown at alarming rates, both in frequency and severity.

Animals are suffering and dying at the hands of callous humans who think they can get away with it. We say this must stop now.

We are pulling together every resource we can find, welcoming every supporter who believes in our cause, and working together with other like minded New Zealanders to stop this insidious violence against innocent animals. We want YOUR pet to be safe!

We want to see abuse rates dropping dramatically, serious offenders punished appropriately, children educated about respect and kindness, and companion animals all over New Zealand living comfortable and happy lives.

YOUR pet brings so much unconditional love and happiness to you and to others in your life. They deserve protection, and together we will give it to them. When you become part of Paw Justice you are making a conscious decision to become a care giver and guardian, not only for your own pet, but for other pets who are not as fortunate to have you as their owner.

OUR STORY

Paw Justice was formed by stuntmen, Craig Dunn and Shaughan Campbell whose love for action was outdone by their love for animals. After working and becoming friends with the late Steve Irwin, Craig became inspired by Steve’s attitude, ‘if you don’t do it, who will?”.

In 2007, Craig and Shaughan were moved by the plight of ‘Eve’, a female mastiff abandoned under a house during the holiday period for 6 weeks without food and water. When found, Eve weighed a bare 17kgs and was covered in faeces. She was located despite not being registered. Eve was lucky, being adopted out by the SPCA after receiving extensive vet care. The horrific treatment of ‘Eve’ spurred Craig and Shaughan into establishing Paw Justice, an organisation which they wanted to dedicate towards reducing and eliminating animal abuse.

After carrying out their own enquiries, the boys realised there were few options for getting justice for Eve. Penalties for animal abuse under the Animal Welfare Act were not particularly onerous and often were not enforced to their full degree. Paw Justice’s first campaign sought amendments to animal welfare law in New Zealand, and specifically, harsher penalties for instances of horrific animal abuse. With the help of celebrities like Lucy Lawless (Xena) and other celebrities from Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune and Go Girls, Paw Justice launched a nationwide petition calling for tougher penalties for animal abusers. The campaign focused the public’s attention on the issue of animal abuse, generating support from hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. Public interest ultimately resulted in the passing of a private member’s bill and then the Animal Welfare Amendment Act 2010 which amended animal welfare law in New Zealand.

Since then, Paw Justice has gone from strength to strength, taking part in community focused projects such as setting up of the Petfood Bank, initiating education programs to teach our youth about animal care and welfare (increasing empathy for animals) and setting up an emergency surgery fund. Paw Justice has not forgotten its roots and continues to support advocacy work, ensuring our animals and pets have a voice. It stands by one motto – Zero tolerance to animal abuse.